Automatic numbering-machine.



No. 676,084. Patented lune ll, I901. E. G. BATES.

AUTOMATIC NUMBEBING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. '1, 1900.) (No Model.) 3 sheets sheet l.

A 'III'I/II Illllllll I111 Svwewtoz Wane/am E WWW) L EDWIN BBATES,

N0. 676,034. Patented lune ll, IQOL E. G. BATES.

AUTOMATIC NUMBERING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 4, 1900.) (No lollol.) 3 8hoes$heet 2.

' uoembm EDWIN QBATES flfl'oawma q/vitwwm 3%.

No. 676,084. E G BATES Patented lune ll, l90l.

AUTOMATIC NUMBERING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 4, 1900.)

3 Sheets Sheet 3.

EDWIN [LBATES wz z.

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EDIVIN G. BATES, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE RATES MACHINECOMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

AUTOMATIC NUMBERlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 676,084, dated June 11, 1901.

Application filed August 4,1900. Serial No. 25,906. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWIN G. BATES, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in AutomaticNumbering-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates mainly to type-high 1o automaticnumbering-machines, designed to be locked in a chase with the form,surrounded with type matter, or used separately when numbers only are tobe printed, and to such machines combined for use with the frame of anautomatic hand numbering-machine, to an improved gage, and otherfeatures hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of a typographicnumbering-machine, the front side of the casing being broken away. Fig.2 is an end view of the same. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of twoconnected pins. Fig. 3 is a plan. Fig. at is a section on line 1 4 ofFig. 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective of the stepped pawls and plate or framecarrying said pawls.

Fig. 6 is a rear side view of a side of the casing. Fig. 6 is asectional view on line 6 6 ofFig. 6. Fig. 7 is a side view of a wheelwith a drop-cipher, showing also a section of 0 the axis. Fig. 8 is asimilar view showing the opposite side of such wheel, its ratchetwheelbeing shown in dotted lines. Fig. 9 is a side and an edge view of thedrop-cipher section detached. Figs. 10 and 11 are side views of twoslightly-different constructions of number-wheels. Fig. 12 is a sideview of asegment of the wheel of Fig. 11 detached. Fig. 13 is a sideview of a securing device. Fig. 14 is a vertical section of a handnumbering-machine frame with a gage and the typographic machinesupported in the frame. Fig. 15 is a transverse cross-section of theframe. Fig. 16 is a side view of the machine. Fig. 17 is a plan view ofthe gage detached and on a smaller scale. Fig. 18 is a section on lines(0000f Figs. 16 and 17. Fig. 19 shows a. modification of the drop-cipherconnection. Figs. 20 and 21 are views at right angles to each other of amodified plunger-plate and locking device therefor, and Fig. 22 showsthe periphery of a modified number-wheel developed.

1 is a metal frame of shape, with the usual printing-opening in itsbottom, which frame carries a non-rotary axis 2, on which are severalnumber-wheels 3, each of which has secured to one of its sides aratchet-wheel 4, with which the stepped pawls 5 engage in the usual way.Said pawls are carried on a plate 6, pivoted by arms 7 8 on the axis 2.Arm 8 has a segment of gear 9 engaged by a rack 10, projecting down fromplate 11, which is transverse to the axis and is normally held above theend 12 of the frame and out of the printing-plane by a strong spring 13,held in a hole or socket 14 in said frame, the spring pressing againstthe plate between the pins at their upper or outer ends. guided in itsreciprocating movements by Plate 11 is pins 15 in holes or sockets 16 inend 12 on opposite sides of the spring. mally out of the printing-planeand is so mounted and guided that it moves straight Plate 11 is norupand down bodily as distinguished from swinging on a pivot, as does plateor lever J, for example, in my Patent No. 484,390, and the projectingarm is rigid with plate 11, being normal tension of spring 13.

It is preferred to connect these pins by an integral crosspiece 21,Figs. 2 and 2*, so that they may both be inserted or removed bya singleoperation and the nu mberof separate pieces be reduced. End 12 of theframe has a notch or depression 22, just deep enough to admit part 21,so that it shall not project beyond the face of end The notch at oneside of part 21 is inclined, Figs. 1 and 2, so that a suitable tool canbe inserted under part 21 to withdraw pins 20 when necessary to removepins 15 and plate 11.

This device looks or unlocks both pins 15 simultaneously and is a verycheap and cfficient device.

Plate 11 also has a projection 17, which extends above the top of thenumber-wheels and which is provided with the printing character ordevice No. or other desired character and is so located as to print inthe same line as the numberwheels, which at the printing-line aretypehigh. The part 11 is adapted to receive the impact of aprinting-platen in the act of printing when the numbering-machine isfixed in the form and to be moved down to thelevel of the type-wheels,which movement operates the rack and swings the plate 6 and steppedpawls carried thereby. \Vhen the platen ceases to press on the machine,spring 13 raises plate 11 and swings the pawl-carrying plate and steppedpawls back to the position in Fig. 4, which return movement advances oneor more of the number-wheels. It is not broadly new to provideperiod-plates, No. plates, and the like, which are depressed by theplaten and have means for operating the pawl plate. The presentinvention, however, comprises improved c0nstructions,as shown anddescribed.

The frame 1 is provided with side plates 23, each of which has two orany suitable number of pins 21, rigidly fixed to the plate, which fitremovably into smooth holes in frame 1 and form the only securingdevices for the sides, the latter being therefore readily put in placeand removable without the necessity of operating-screws, as is usuallythe case. VVhen the machine is in a form, these plates are firmlyclamped in place by the surrounding matter. In Fig. 1 the front plate 23is partly broken away to show parts behind it.

Preferably the number-wheels 3, following the units-wheel, havedrop-ciphers of improved construction and for the usual purpose of suchdevices. Referring to Figs. 7, 8, and 9, each of said wheels 3 has asegment removed at 26 and a section 27 pivoted in space 26 by anextension 28, hereinafter more fully described, which fits so as to turnin socket 2!) in the body of wheel \Vhile the socket moves with thewheel, it is fixed in relation to the removed segment. The drop-ciphersection 27 is enough smaller than space 26 to allow the requiredmovement. Preferably the section constitutes a fifth of the wheel, andhas two printing characters, one of which, 30, is the zero. Axis 2 hasan undercut longitudinal groove 31, into which the hooked ends 3:? areengaged to normally hold the part 27 depressed. Fig. 7 shows the section27 just about to drop as end 32 is carried over the edge of the grooveby rotation of the wheel. The part 32 will then be caused to engage theundercut by a slight backward movement of the wheel, which may beeffected by the hand, this position being shown in dotted lines, Fig. 7.\Vhen the wheel is turned, end 82 passes out of the undercut groove, israised by contact of the lower side 33 of the groove, and is supportedin printing position-that is, with its outer face in the periphery ofthe wheel-by the periphery of shaft 2 for a full revolution of the wheeland not liable to get out of order.

In some machines or in some wheels of some machines I omit thedrop-ciphers and use complete wheels, which may consist of segmentsfastened together to form such wheel. The last wheel in a machine isgenerally made without a drop-cipher, as shown in Fig. 3 the last wheelat the right. In Fig. 10 is shown a wheel designed for said last wheelor for such other location as requires no drop-cipher. Each segment isprovided with a cylindrical extension 35 and similarlyshaped opening orsocket 3b. Each segment is preferablya fifth of the wheel and has twonumerals 37 on it. The segments are forced together and form a permanentstructure. By making the wheels of segments the numbers can be stampedthereon, while with wheels of a single piece the numbers must beengraved.

The wheel shown in Fig. 11 differs from that of Fig. 10 in that eachsegment has two openings or sockets 36 and the segments are securedtogether by fastening devices 33, the ends of which are driven intosockets 36 of adjoining segments. It is preferred to place the circularparts of the sockets back from the edge of the segment, with a narrowpassage leading therefrom to the segment edge, as shown.

The cylindrical heads of the securing devices are connected by thin flatstems 39, which fit into said narrow passages. This makes a strongeasily-assembled wheel. Evidently a drop-cipher such as shown in Figs. 7and 9 could be substituted for the zero-segment in these wheels, Figs.10 and 11, if desired. In making these wheels a device 38 may beinserted in one edge of each segment, (see Fig. 12,) the projecting endthereof then corresponding to projection 35 of Fig. 10 and the socket36' at the opposite edge corresponding to socket 36.

Sometimes the user of numbering machines, especially printers, desires atypographic machine and also desires an automatic hand numbering-machine. According to this invention it is possible to use thesame printing-head in both situations.

In Fig. 14, is a handle-plate adapted to be secured to the machine shownin Figs.' 2, &c. Fig. 14 shows plate 40 secured to said machine invertedand in a hand-machine frame. The handle it of a hand numberingmachine issuitably secured to plate 40, which is provided with lugs 40 at theends, adapted to travel in groove it. The plate also has a vertical arm42;, with a ledge at its bottom to support one end of the typographicmachine and an arm 43' at its opposite end, in which is an automaticspring-catch 43, the inner end 4 ot' the catch being beveled on oneside, so as to be retracted when the typographic machine is pushed in,but having its upper side straight, so as to form a support ICC for thatend of the typographic machine when the catch snaps into a hole in thehead. Preferablya hole 43 in line with the axis 2, which is generallyfound in machines now in use, for use in removing the axis is utilizedalso for the catch. The vertical arm 43, with its ledge, and theopposite arm 43 and springeatch 43 form means for connecting thetypographic machine to plate 40.

43 represents buttons pivoted to plate and adapted to swing down, asshown, to prevent the side plates becoming detached from the head whenused in the hand-machine.

45 is the frame of a hand numbering-machine, this frame preferably beingformed from a uniform strip of steel, with a groove 46 on one side forits entire length, a piece being cut from said strip of suitable lengthand bent to shape. The strip is of uniform cross section throughout itslength. This type of frame is not claimed herein.

47 is an ink-pad holder pivoted at 48 at one side of the frame.

49 is a thin printing-plate, of steel or other suitable metal, securedto the ends of the frame and having a printing opening 50. One end ofplate 49 is bent up at 51 a short distance from the frame. At the otherend plate 49 has an integral extension 52, narrower than plate 49,Whichserves as a yielding or spring connection or support for a comparativelythick and heavy steel tongue 53, which in use is slipped under the cardor sheet to be printed, providing the necessary solidity of surface toinsure clearimpressions.

44 is a felt or other yielding pad in a depression 45 in plate 53.

54 is a cross-bar adapted to slide on the extension 52 and preferablyengaging the edges thereof, as shown at 54.

55 is a screw for securing bar 54 at any position to which it isadjusted.

The rear end 56 of plate 53 is tapering or rounded and also has adownward bevel 57, which, together with the upturned edge of theprinting-plate, makes it easy to insert the cards to be printed. Theplate may be cut away at 58 to decrease weight and to make room for theends of bar 54.

In use this machine is held in the righthand, (extension 52 and plate 53forming a handle,) the ticket, for example, being grasped by the thumband fingers of the left hand, and is passed between plates 49 53 untilit is stopped by the gage-block 54, thus bringing the palm of the lefthand under plate 53, affording sufficient solidity beneath the card toinsure a good impression when handle 44 is depressed by the right hand.The gage being properly set, the cards will be printed exactly on thecorrect line. The same machine can be used for cards or tickets ofdifferent sizes by adjusting the gage.

The ink-pad-holder pivot, Fig. 16, must, as usual, be supported at adistance to the rear of the frame 45; but owing to the form of the framedescribed there are no rearwardly-extending lugs to support the pivot,as in old machines having east frames, nor, owing to the thinness andform of the printing-plate, is it advisable to support standardstherein. Moreover, the curved end of said plate is usually in suchposition as to interfere with thus supporting the standards. Theseobjections are overcome in this improvement by supporting such standards48 horizontally from edges of the vertical legs of frame 45 at theproper height for the pivot. Said standards are preferably supportedbybeing forced into plain holes-i. 6., holes not having screwthreads-inthe frame; but it is not essential that such plain or smooth holes beused. The ink-pad support is swung back by depressing the head in anywell-known or suitable way, means therefor being indicated by arm 60,between the pad-support and the head, and moved by movement of thelatter, as common in numbering-machines. Lever or arm 60 is providedwith an elongated slot 00, into which a pin 60 projecting fromplungerplate 11, extends for moving the plate and the pawl-plate-movingrack 10 when the head is reciprocatod.

\Vith typographic nu mbering-machines it is sometimes desirable tochange from consecutive numbering to printing numbers in progressionwith a difference or arithmetical ratio greater than one for specialoccasions, and it is desirable to be able to use a single machine inboth cases by simply substituting one units-wheel for another, thisbeing done without taking the machine apart. To make the u nits-wheeleasily removable, I cut away the pivot 28 of the drop-cipher (on thelower side in Fig. 7) in such manner that when the drop-cipher is in itsraised-that is, printing-position part 28 still has bearings in thecylindrical opening 29 on opposite sides, so that the cipher-sectionwill readily turn on its pivot when unsupported. The opening in whichthe section 27 is mounted is made a little longer at the periphery ofthe wheel than the body of the segment. The extra length, however, isoccupied by a suitable device, as a screw 28, set in the part 28, andlimits the normal outward movement of part 27. By removing this screw,part 27 can be turned up a little farther until the inner edge of part28 passes out of opening 29, when section 27 can be lifted out. Then thewheel can be turned and removed, the cut-away part of the wheel and ofits ratchet being adapted to slip over axis 2. As shown in Fig. 8, asegment 4 of ratchet-wheel 4 is separate from the rest of theratchet-wheel, but is riveted to segment 27, and is of such form as notto interfere with movement of part 27. The ends of segment 4 are showncurved, the center being the center of pivot 28. \Vhen the units-wheelis removed, another wheel is substituted by slipping it into place inmanner the reverse of that above described. On the substitute wheel theten printing numbers are arranged in order of IIO the units-columns ofthe progression-thus, for example, 1,3, 5, 7, 9,1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 1, 4,7, O, 3, (I, 9, 2, 5, 8. It will be seen that the ratchet of thisunits-wheel must have a deep notch for each group of figuresterminat-ing at the last number of the progression below a numberrequiring a zero, (as 10, 20, &c.,) so that the following wheel orwheels will be suitably advanced with the units-wheel. In the firstexample above given the tens-wheel must be advanced twice for eachrevolution of the units-wheel and in the second example three times. Thenumber of times which the tens-wheel is advanced is a fixed and definitenumber of times for each progression of numbers on the units-wheel, saidnumber of times corresponding to the ratio of the progression. Evidentlythe dropciphers of the number-wheels following the units-wheel and saidwheels themselves are not necessarily made removable, but may be.

When the typographic machine is to be used in a handmachine frame, thestrong spring is removed from its place behind the plate 11 and isutilized as the head-raising spring in the handle 44 of thehand-machine.

44 is a ring from which finger 44 extends into the handle and forms anabutment for the spring. A thinner plunger-plate 11 than the one removedis substituted, (Figs. 14 and 16,) so as to remain above theprinting-plane when the head is depressed. The plunger is connected tothe stepped-pawl-carryingplate, as described in connection with Figs. 4and 5.

The plunger-plate in the typographic machine may have a removable No. orprefix printing block. The base of this block is outwardly beveled andis held between a fixed undercut block 11 and a clamping-screw11 11 is ablock secured to frame 1 and having a notch 11.

11 is a screw set on plate 11 and having an eccentric head which whenproperly turned (when the plunger-plate is depressed) engages the notchand locks the plunger down, so that the machine may print the samenumber indefinitely.

In Fig. 19 is shown a modification, the dropcipher section being pivotedto the ratchetwheel by pivot 27, which may or may not be within anopening 29. This may be used when the removable drop-cipher and wheelare not required.

I claim- 1. The combination in a numbering-machine of afranie, an axis,n umber-wheels with pivoted drop-cipher sections whose printingfaces arenormally retracted out of the printing-plane but which reach said planewhen the wheels are turned, ratchets for the number-wheels, steppedpawls, a pawl-carrying plate having arms with bearings on said axis, oneof said arms having gear-teeth, a plate guided to move bodily straightup and down, means including a spring normally holding said plate out ofthe printing-plane,the spring being adapted to be compressed in the actof printing, a projecting arm rigid with said plate and having astraight rack engaging said gear-teeth on the arm.

2. The combination, in a numbering-ma chine, of a frame, an axis,number-wheels, ratchets, a stepped pawl, a pawl-carrying plate havingarms with bearings on said axis, one of the arms having gear-teeth, aplate, a spring normally holding the plate out of the printing-plane andadapted to be compressed by the act of printing, pins for guiding saidplate, and a projecting arm on said plate with teeth engaging saidgear-teeth, as set forth.

3. The combination, in a numbering-machine, of a frame, an axis,number-Wheels, ratchets, a stepped pawl, a pawl-carrying plate havingarms with bearings on said axis, one of the arms having gear-teeth, aplate, a spring normally holding the plate out of the printing-plane andadapted to be compressed by the act of printing, pins for guiding saidplate, and a projecting arm with teeth engaging said gear-teeth, thepins having limitingnotches, and pins mounted in the frame and passinginto said notches to serve as stops for the first-mentioned pins.

4. The combination with the axis, numberwheels, pawls, plates carryingthe pawls and pivoted on said axis,of plate 11, pins 15 having notches18, pins 20 engaging the notches to limit the movement, a springnormally holding said plate out of the printing-plane, and the rack-armon said plate for swinging the pawl-plate.

5. A plate 11 having a printing projection, notched limiting guide-pins,and a rack parallel with said guide-pins, in combination with pins 20passing through said notches and forming stops for the pins,number-wheels, and means for turning them operated by said rack.

6. The combination with plate 11, and a plurality of limiting and guidepins having notches, of a plurality of connected pins 20 engagingrespectively the notches of the guide-pins, whereby the pins 20 can besimultaneously inserted or removed.

7. The combination of a frame, plate 11, pins 15 movable in holes insaid frame and having notehes,connected pins 20, said frame having holesfor pins 20, and a depression in the outside of the frame adapted toreceive the part connecting pins 20, one side of the notch beinginclined as set forth.

8. A number-wheel having a segment removed therefrom, a section 27having one or more numbers thereon, one being a cipher, section 27having a pivot extension 28, and the body of the wheel having a fixedsocket 29 in which the extension can turn to lower or to raise thecipher.

0. A number-wheel having a segment removed therefrom, a section 27having one or more numbers thereon, one being a cipher, section 27having a pivot extension 28, and the body of the wheel having a socket29 in which the extension can turn to lower or to IIO raise the cipher,section 27 having a hooked end 32, in combination with an axis having anundercut longitudinal groove for controlling the drop-cipher.

10. A rigid permanent number-wheel having a plurality of parts, and aconnection between them consisting of a projection from one part fittinga fixed socket in the adjoining part, said projection being sufficientlylarge as to require great force to enter it in the socket, and thesocket surrounding the larger part of the projection so as to maintainits hold thereon.

11. The combination with a typographic numbering-machine adapted to beused in a form with type, of a hand-numbering-machine frame, means fordetachably securing said typographic machine therein, and means foroperating the same manually, whereby the same head can be used either asa typographic machine or as a hand-machine.

12. In a number-wheel the combination of a wheel-body with a segmentremoved, a pivoted drop-cipher section having a plurality of charactersthereon, one of which is the cipher, the cipher-section being within thespace left by said removed segment and having a pivot extension bearingin a fixed pivot-socket in the wheel-body.

13. The combination of a typographic numberingmachine having suitablenumberwheels, a handle, a hand-machine frame supporting the handle, aplate attached to the handle, means for detachably securing thetypographic machine to said plate, and means for turning saidnumber-wheels of the typographic machine operated by movement of saidhandle, whereby the same printing-head can be used as a typographicmachine or as a hand-machine.

14. The combination with the frame and head of a numbering-machine, of aprintingplate having a printing-opening therein, one end of the platebent upward at 51, the other end of said plate having a springextension, an adjustable gage thereon, and a base-plate to one end ofwhich the outer end of said extension is secured, there being spacebetween the printing-plate and the base-plate to receive the card orticket to be printed on.

15. The combination with the frame and head of a numbering-machine, of aprintingplate having a printing-opening therein, one end of the platebent upward at 51, the other end of the plate having a spring extension,an adjustable gage thereon, and a base-plate to one end of which theouter end of said extension is secured, there being space between theprinting-plate and the base-plate,the baseplate having a yielding padbelow the opening in the printing-plate.

16. The combination with the frame and head of a numbering-machine, of aprintingplate having aprinting-opening therein, one end of the platebeing bent upward at 51, the other end of the plate having a springextension, an adjustable gage thereon, and a baseplate to one end ofwhich the outer end of said extension is secured, the other end of thebase-plate extending beyond the printing-plate and having a downwardbevel and a tapering end to facilitate introduction of cards.

17. The combination with the frame and head of a numbering-machine, of aprintingplate with a spring extension narrower than the printing-plate,a base-plate below the printing-plate and having connection with thespring extension at the end remote from the printing-plate, and a gageon the spring extension.

18. The combination with the numberingmachine grooved frame, aprinting-plate, a printing-head, an ink-pad and holder, levers operatedby movement of the head for moving the ink-pad and holder, standardsprojecting from an edge of each vertical leg of said frame and forming apivot-support for the ink-pad holder.

19. The combination of a numbering-machine U shaped steel frame groovedthroughout its length and of uniform transverse crosssectionthroughoutits length,aprintingplate, a printing-head, and ink-pad andpad-holder, levers operated by movement of the head for moving theink-pad and holder,standards projecting from an edge of each verticalleg of said frame and forming a pivot-support for the ink-pad holder.

20. The combination with the grooved frame of a nu mbering-machine, of aprintingplate extending a little beyond the frame and having anupwardly-bent edge, a numberinghead,an ink-pad holder,a pivot for saidholder, levers for operating the holder, and horizontal standardsprojecting from the grooved frame and supporting the pivot above theprojection of the printing-plate.

21. Thecombinationwithanumbering-ma chine frame, a printing-plate, anextension thereof, a base-plate near to the extension and connectedthereto only at the end remote from the frame, the extension and thebase being adapted to be grasped by the hand as a handle.

22. The combination of a numbering-machine frame, a plate 11 extendingacross the machine at right angles toits axis, said plate having anextending arm with rack-teeth, an arm with gear-teeth meshing with therack, a plurality of guide-pins for plate 11 near opposite ends thereof,and asingle spring serving to raise said plate.

23. Anumber-wheel havingacut-awaysegment from its periphery to theaxis-opening, a cylindrical pivot-opening, a drop-cipher segment havinga pivot extension with bearing in the pivot-opening, means for normallylimiting the outward swing of the drop-cipher segment, said means beingremovable to allow a further swing, the pivot extension being cut awayso as to be released from its bearing by such further swing.

21. A number-wheel having a cutaway segment extending to theshaft-opening, a removable drop-cipher section pivotally supportedwithin the space left by the cut-away segment, in combination with aratchet-wheel connected to the number-wheel, a segment of theratchet-wheel being separate from the rest of the wheel and secured tothe drop-cipher section so as to be removable therewith.

25. A number-wheel havinga cut-away segment extending to theshaft-opening, a removable drop-cipher section pivotally supportedwithin the space left by the cut-away segment, a stop limiting thenormal movement of the drop-cipher section and when removed allowingfurther outward movement of the drop-cipher section, the pivot of thedrop-cipher section being cut away within its bearing, whereby aftersaid further movement the drop-cipher section can be raised out of itsposition within the cut-away segment.

26. A number-wheel having a cut-away segment extending to theshaft-opening,a removable drop-cipher section pivotally supported withinthe space left by the cut-away segment, a stop limiting the normalmovement of the drop-cipher section, and when removed allowing furtheroutward movement of the drop-cipher section, the pivot of thedrop-cipher section being cut away within its bearing, whereby aftersaid further movement the drop-cipher section can be raised out of itsposition within the cut-away segment, in combination with aratchet-wheel connected to the number-wheel, a segment of theratchetwheel being separate from the rest of the Wheel, and secured tothe drop-cipher section so as to be removable therewith.

27. In an automatic typographic numbering-machine adapted to be set upwith type in a form, the combination of frame 1 with smooth holes 25therein, a non-rotary axis supported by said frame, number-wheels on theaxis, and loose wheel protecting side plates 23 having projecting pins2-1 fixed to said plates and adapted to easily enter and move from saidholes while remaining fixed rigidly to the plates,whereby said plateswhen not surrounded by type matter are easily removed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ED\VIN G. BATES.

\Vitnesses:

CHARLES M. CATLIN, G. W. BALLOCH.

